8 JANUARY 1831, Page 13

The Workin b a . Man's Companion is an able " palaver"

on the uses and advantages of Machinery, contrived with a view to show that the existence of Machinery is a great blessing to the labourer. The author has made himself as intelligible and as amusing as possible ; and we augur considerable good from the extensive circulation of the work. It is unluckily too long, and too elaborate (though it may all be had for a shilling) ' • and it is probable that its ',math may impede its general perusal. Among the agricultural labourer's we fear it is never likely to penetrate ; they are unluckily the most ignorant and the most inaccessible of our population—we fear they are only to be reached through the publichouse. It is they chiefly who have lately " run a-muck" against machinery. The Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge permits itself to be used too much as a mere instrument of trade. Let them take example of the Tract Society, whose thin and readable sheets find their way into every cottage. The Diffusion of Knowledge Society acts almost wholly in great towns, where the spirit of discussion and intelligence is already alight, and where but little more is wanted.